Among the measures coming into force Section 21 eviction notices, which allow landlords to evict tenants on a whim and without reason, will be banned from 1 May 2026.
Landmark protections for millions of renters will come into force in six months’ time, the government has announced.
Among the measures Section 21 eviction notices, which allow landlords to evict tenants on a whim and without reason, will be banned from 1 May 2026. Bidding wars between possible tenants will be outlawed and landlords will be prevented from hiking rent more than once a year under the Renters’ Reform Act.
Landlords will also no longer be able to discriminate against tenants for being on benefits or having children, and will not be able to unreasonably refuse requests from their tenants to own pets.
The legislation, which was a manifesto commitment, finally became law last month. A commitment to similar measures was also made under the Tories almost a decade – but they repeatedly failed to deliver on the pledge.
Section 21 notices – also referred to as “no-fault evictions” – have been blamed for putting thousands of families vulnerable to homelessness every year. Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “We’re calling time on no fault evictions and rogue landlords. Everyone should have peace of mind and the security of a roof over their head – the law we’ve just passed delivers that.
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“We’re now on a countdown of just months to that law coming in – so good landlords can get ready and bad landlords should clean up their act.” The government said councils across England will be legally responsible for overseeing the new rules from May next year. They will be able to impose fines of up to £7,000 for breaches.
Ben Twomey, Chief Executive of Generation Rent, said: “This new law is a vital step towards re-balancing power between renters and landlords and should be celebrated. Our homes are the foundation of our lives, but for too long our broken renting system has left renters staring down the barrel of poverty and homelessness.
“For decades, Section 21 evictions have forced renters to live in fear of being turfed out of our homes, preventing us from raising valid concerns with our landlords. At last we know when this outdated and unfair law will be sent packing.”
He added: “This Renters’ Rights Act is the result of years of tireless campaigning from the renter movement, alongside the dedication and strength of ordinary renters. With change on the horizon, I hope that renters across England can rest a little easier tonight in recognition of what we have achieved together.”
Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern also highlighted measures meaning landlords will no longer be able to discriminate against tenants for being on benefits, or having children. She told The Mirror : “For far too long, families with children and people receiving benefits have been unfairly locked out of safe and secure housing.
“This kind of exclusion has no place in our society. The Renters’ Rights Act will stamp this out once and for all, making it illegal for landlords to discriminate for these reasons. Alongside ending Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions which threaten thousands including kids with homelessness every year, we are quickly tearing down injustices that pull people down and shatter their basic right to a decent, secure home.
“These changes are just a few months from reality – a monumental shift that puts equality and fairness at the heart of our rental system.”